It's getting a lot harder to stand out as an NFL quarterback in 2013. Between those magnificent seven Super Bowl-winning veterans now dubbed "elite" and an even bigger group of exciting young stars, there's a quartet of former Pro Bowlers stuck the middle.

Is their best football in the past, or is there enough left to propel themselves and their teams to greater accomplishments? They've done plenty of good, but time is running out to turn the corner and become great.

All four quarterbacks have gotten help from their teams to get where they want to be for the upcoming season. If they don't take advantage of it, they risk getting closer to the back of the pack.

What's old: When the Bears traded for Cutler before the 2009 season, they thought they were getting a QB that was knocking on the door of greatness and would solve their long-standing problem at the position. Instead, Cutler has only teased them as a gritty gunslinger, as he's been inconsistent and not efficient enough while going through the wringer of offensive coaching staffs. Although the running game and offensive line haven't always been steady enough to support him, it's no doubt his reunion with go-to-receiver Brandon Marshall last season was a big benefit.

What's new with them: There's been some more Cutler coddling this season, with defensive-minded Lovie Smith replaced by passing guru Marc Trestman as head coach. They addressed that troubled line again by taking tackle Jermon Bushrod and assistant coach Aaron Kromer away from the Saints, and getting a pair of new guards (Matt Slauson, rookie Kyle Long). They made up for trading away old friend Greg Olsen to Carolina by signing former Giants tight end Martellus Bennett. They're also planning for a bigger possession role for Earl Bennett -- Cutler's old Vanderbilt connection -- opposite Marshall.

What's new with him: As you may have heard, Cutler was married to Kristin Cavallari during the offseason. While he'll keep feeling the heat to raise his game, he's now happy as a father and husband off the field. For someone who's been called out for immaturity on the field, that happiness can't be overlooked related to his professional potential.

What to expect: While the Bears break in a Smith-less, Brian Urlacher-less look on defense, the playmaking burden has titled back to the offense. There's everything in place around Cutler from scheme to personnel for him to have his best season in Chicago. But still the Bears needed to play catch up with the rival Packers' offense in the NFC North, and they on paper, they're a lot closer. "They've done everything they can for Cutler," says one NFC scout, "… now it would be good to see him finally play up to this talent." If his play doesn't spike and the Bears don't return to the playoffs, it will be time to look at his successor in the '14 draft.

What's old: What do Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning all have in common, besides their Super Bowl rings? They're the only three active quarterbacks with a better career passer rating than Romo (95.6). But turning big plays into yards and touchdowns has never been an issue for Romo. Turning them into wins and playoff trips continues to be. Since the Cowboys last made the playoffs as NFC East champions in 2009, Romo is 17-21. Last season was a perfect example of the ups and downs. His career-high in passing yards (4,903) and fourth-quarter comebacks (5) were weighed down by tying for a career- and league-worst 19 interceptions.

What's new with them: The Cowboys did only some mild tweaks to their offense with rookies – first-rounder Travis Frederick should upgrade center and second-rounder Gavin Escobar diversifies their offense at tight end opposite Jason Witten. They also would like to be more committed to the running game, and balance that with a less aggressive 4-3 Tampa 2 defense that won't waste Romo's big passing plays by giving up many in return.

What's new with him: Romo was signed to a lucrative extension (6 years, $55 million of $108 million guaranteed). The man who paid him, Jerry Jones, made his request for Romo to adapt more of a "Peyton Manning-like" work ethic regarding his football game this offseason, and that included Romo cutting down on his golf game. So far, as Romo prepares to take a bigger role in play-calling, most of the work has been off the field as back surgery in April caused him to miss action during June’s minicamp.

What to expect: Because it's Dallas, the spotlight has shone on what Romo hasn't done, but he's not the real reason the Cowboys haven't capitalizing on a still very talented roster. The potent passing game is what lifted them to .500 last season; their defense makes them better equipped to win close games in a tough division this season. With his deep connection with Dez Bryant still getting better, the Cowboys have the offense to stick with the NFC's best passing teams. They are built to be the strong contender they were six years ago.

What's old: Rivers, after surpassing the century mark in passer rating from 2008-2010, the last two seasons under Norv Turner were disappointing. While it slipped to the 88 range, his turnovers shot up to 25 and 22, a dip you wouldn't expect from an established playoff-credentialed Pro Bowler. But then you remember he lost two of his most valuable weapons (Darren Sproles and Vincent Jackson) over the past two seasons, injuries contributed to the running game’s struggles and the offensive line was in shambles around him. His favorite target, tight end Antonio Gates, also has slowed down a bit at age 33.

What's new with them: The Chargers stuck with staying offensive-minded in replacing Turner, and did it with an up-and-coming creative mind, Mike McCoy as head coach. Another accomplished former head coach, Ken Whisenunt, is their new play-calling coordinator. They shored up the offensive tackle spots with two big bodies, former Eagle King Dunlap and rookie D.J. Fluker. Former Steelers tackle Max Starks is also in the mix. Another rookie, Keenan Allen will help the receiving corps, which also has promising young holdovers Danario Alexander and Vincent Brown healthy going into camp. In addition, there are big plans for running back Ryan Mathews to round back into Pro Bowl form.

What's new with him: Rivers is adjusting to a passing offense that will help him get the ball out more quickly, a changeup from the downfield-oriented Turner scheme that often hung him out to dry. That's a bonus along with the tackles that should make him better protected. He's making $12 million for this season, and that will escalate to $15.8 million in the last year of his current contract in 2015. So there's motivation for Rivers to deliver with the potential last big payday of his career ahead. The alternative is Chargers trying to move on without him in 2014.

What to expect: One AFC scout has noted that Rivers "lost his way because of the frustrations around him," to the point that his fiery nature backfired while he tried to do too much to overcome wholesale issues in offensive scheme and play-calling. McCoy and Whisenhunt have dedicated their first season in San Diego to get their franchise passer back on track. The Chargers' defense was strong in 2012, and should remain that way. There's room for a wild card behind heavy AFC West favorite Denver, and the Rivers of old can get San Diego to rediscover its familiar playoff path.

What's old: In his time with the Texans, Schaub has developed into one of the league's steadiest, most reliable starters when healthy. He notched his first playoff victory over the Bengals last postseason in the team's second-ever playoff trip. He's been versatile enough to carry their offense (he led the NFL in passing yards in 2009) and also be an efficient playmaker in playing off their Arian Foster-driven running game in recent years. He's coming off his second Pro Bowl campaign, but like Rivers, he's working to get where 2004 draft mates Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger are—Super Bowl champions.

What's new with them: The Texans have realized they need more firepower to help Schaub, given that they struggled twice in their final six games in coming close to matching the Patriots. Enter rookie DeAndre Hopkins, the long-awaited missing dangerous piece to take advantage of single coverage opportunities opposite Andre Johnson. They're also hoping second-player DeVier Posey can be dynamic as a No. 3 after he returns from a torn Achilles' sometime during the season. They could also benefit from getting Foster back to being more involved in the passing game.

What's new with him: Schaub is trying to shake off his late season struggles, as he wasn't quite the same passer after the middle of November. There's no wavering on the Texans' part that they can do bigger things with him at the helm, and for his accomplishments, a $7.25 million base salary for 2013 makes him one of the league's best QB bargains. There's a lot of room for a huge raise if Schaub can push them a couple more playoff notches.

What to expect: The Texans will win the AFC South for a third consecutive season, as they remain the division's most complete team with few holes. But there's no doubt that playoff-caliber division foe in the Colts have the quarterback, Andrew Luck, to try to close Houston's window sooner than expected. Schaub will need a big playoff win head-to-head against either Brady's Patriots, Manning's Broncos or Joe Flacco's Ravens, and that will require him outplaying one of them for Houston to get the breakthrough it needs. During the regular season, he must avoid another slump to give the Texans the necessary help of having being higher than the No. 3 seed come playoff time.